Woman's Temperance Publishing Association
Encyclopedia
The Woman's Temperance Publishing Association (WTPA) was a non-commercial publisher of temperance
literature. Established in 1879 in Indianapolis, Indiana
during the national convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
(WCTU), it was a concept of Matilda Carse
, an Irish-born American businesswoman, social reformer and leader of the temperance movement.
Its weekly newspaper was named The Signal and its first issue appeared January 4, 1880; it was 16 pages in size. The first editor was Mary Willard, mother of Frances Willard, the second president of the WCTU. At the end of the first year, there were 3,200 subscriptions. Eventually, readership reached over 90,000 subscribers. It employed 135 people. "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth" was the newspaper's motto.
In 1882, The Signal merged with Our Union of New York to become The Union Signal. In addition to the newspaper, the WTPA published article reprints called "Timely Talks". After consolidating its "Illinois Workers' Leaflets", "National Leaflets" covered instruction in departmental work. The Oak and Ivy Leaf was written for young women, The Young Crusader was for children, and there were also several books. The Band of Hope Lesson Manual was published as a quarterly.
The WTPA was designed as a joint-stock company and operated in Illinois. No man could own its stock, as it could only be sold to WCTU women. It began with $5,000 of capital stock, which increased to $125,000. The Board of Directors consisted of seven women, including Carse. The WTPA was dissolved in 1903.
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
literature. Established in 1879 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
during the national convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was the first mass organization among women devoted to social reform with a program that "linked the religious and the secular through concerted and far-reaching reform strategies based on applied Christianity." Originally organized on December 23, 1873, in...
(WCTU), it was a concept of Matilda Carse
Matilda Carse
Matilda Bradley Carse was an Irish-born American businesswoman, social reformer and leader of the temperance movement....
, an Irish-born American businesswoman, social reformer and leader of the temperance movement.
Its weekly newspaper was named The Signal and its first issue appeared January 4, 1880; it was 16 pages in size. The first editor was Mary Willard, mother of Frances Willard, the second president of the WCTU. At the end of the first year, there were 3,200 subscriptions. Eventually, readership reached over 90,000 subscribers. It employed 135 people. "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth" was the newspaper's motto.
In 1882, The Signal merged with Our Union of New York to become The Union Signal. In addition to the newspaper, the WTPA published article reprints called "Timely Talks". After consolidating its "Illinois Workers' Leaflets", "National Leaflets" covered instruction in departmental work. The Oak and Ivy Leaf was written for young women, The Young Crusader was for children, and there were also several books. The Band of Hope Lesson Manual was published as a quarterly.
The WTPA was designed as a joint-stock company and operated in Illinois. No man could own its stock, as it could only be sold to WCTU women. It began with $5,000 of capital stock, which increased to $125,000. The Board of Directors consisted of seven women, including Carse. The WTPA was dissolved in 1903.